FLOATING foam, Christmas music and a reindeer got shoppers in a merry mood at a light switch-on event in Hampshire.

A huge crowd gathered to join in the fun and meet Santa Claus himself at Locks Heath Shopping Village, while the more daring youngsters jumped on a large ferris wheel.

White foam was fired into the sky on Saturday afternoon to the delight of small children who were waiting in line to pet the reindeer.

Locks Heath Shopping Village manager Ian Goodridge said: "It's a traditional light switch-on that we do every year and we try to improve it a bit every year.

"It signifies that we are open for Christmas business and it's gone really well."